Organization:
UN Children's FundCountry: United States of America
Closing date:
06 Sep 2013Terms of Reference Teambuilding Retreat Facilitator
- Background:
A number of strategic shifts in UNICEF provide the opportunity to evaluate the dynamics within the HIV team, review the effectiveness of how team members communicate and identify opportunities to strengthen teamwork and collaboration:
The Strategic Plan 2014-2017 contributes to realization of the rights of all children by emphasizing equity. Focusing on the most disadvantaged and excluded children, families and communities accelerates progress towards fulfilment of the rights of all children and reduces disparities. “Improved and equitable use of proven HIV prevention and treatment interventions by children, pregnant women and adolescents” is one of seven outcomes set forth in the Strategic Plan, 2014-2017. In keeping with the division of labour within the United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), UNICEF will play a leading role in HIV programming across both decades of childhood including in the ongoing rollout of the Global Plan Towards the Elimination of New HIV Infections among Children by 2015 and Keeping their Mothers Alive. New approaches are required for adolescent girls and boys, to more rapidly reduce HIV transmissions and because adolescents in need are disproportionately excluded from HIV treatment. UNICEF will therefore increase its emphasis on promoting comprehensive sexuality education and on protecting the rights of excluded adolescent populations who are highly affected by HIV. In programming across both decades of a child’s life, UNICEF will work with partners across sectors, aiming for results that contribute to healthy behaviours and address root causes of vulnerability.
Aligning with the Strategic Plan 2014-2017, UNICEF is implementing comprehensive, integrated approaches to programming, addressing the needs and rights of the whole child across the lifecycle in the broader context of promoting human rights, gender equality, and equity. This entails strengthening systems and building strong linkages across services to increase the likelihood children will be born HIV-free and stay HIV-free and protected from the negative consequences of the epidemic. It also involves integrating HIV-sensitive economic and psycho-social responses into national health, welfare, and social and child protection systems and efforts to end gender-based violence as well as stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV and excluded key affected populations.
The proposed Office Management Plan (OMP) 14-17, soon to take effect, is an important means through which to operationalize the Strategic Plan and the Section’s Vision. Through the matrixed approach to management, reflected in the OMP, the HIV team will support a number of key HIV posts across sectors and regions. Additionally, the OMP is organized around three functional clusters. The engagement of Regional Offices is a key principle on which the OMP is grounded. This unique structure fosters linkages across sectors for high impact interventions, programmatic and social enablers as well as HIV sensitive development synergies in support of an AIDS-free generation.
2) Objectives:
UNICEF will hold an HIV teambuilding retreat on 11 November 2013 to improve working dynamics and communication among team members. This effort is intended to enable a smooth transition to a new, more integrated way of working.
A short-term consultant is needed for a period of 21 days between 30 September and 19 November 2013 to manage the preparations for and facilitate a teambuilding retreat to be held on 11 November 2013.
3) Major Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assess the HIV team’s working dynamics, including through one on one interviews with all team members;
- Advise senior management before the teambuilding retreat on the preliminary findings of the assessment and proposed strategic adjustments;
- Lead the design and develop the agenda of the teambuilding retreat, in consultation with the Senior Team and based on preliminary findings from interviews;
- Facilitate the retreat, including developing activities and exercises aimed at strengthening and encouraging efficient and effective communication, team building, knowledge and information sharing e.g.;
- Write a final retreat report that includes the results of the assessment of working dynamics, identifies strengths and weaknesses in communication and collaboration within the team and recommends how to build on strengths and address weaknesses.
4) Expected results: (measurable results)
- Preliminary assessment of the communication and teamwork;
- A thoroughly planned and smoothly executed team-building retreat, based on the preliminary assessment;
- A written report of the team’s working dynamics, including results of the assessment and concrete recommendations on how to optimize communication.
5) Start date: 30 September 2013 End date: 19 November 2013
6) Timeframe:Deliverables Duration(Estimated # of days) DeadlineConduct interviews with team members 10 days 18 October 2013Preliminary assessment based on interviews shared with Senior Team 3 days 23 October 2013Design of meeting retreat and development of agenda, initial proposal for review by Senior Team 1 day 25 October 2013Final retreat proposal and agenda 1 day 1 November 2013Effective facilitation of the retreat 1 day 11 November 2013Final meeting report, including assessment results and recommendations 5 days 19 November 2013TOTAL 21 days 19 November 2013
7) Key competences, technical background, and experience required:
- At least 10 years of relevant work experience, with a focus on facilitating meetings or workshops for United Nations and/or other international, regional or bilateral development organizations;
- Expertise in designing and implementing a wide range of interactive methods to strengthen teams and improve communication in the workplace;
- Cultural sensitivity and experience moderating meetings of culturally diverse and international groups;
- Experience working on or knowledge of HIV, children’s issues and/or development an asset;
- Master’s degree or equivalent in Social Sciences, Development, Communications, and/or relevant field required;
- Fluency in English.
General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants / Individual Contractors1. Legal StatusThe individual engaged by UNICEF under this contract as a consultant or individual contractors (the “Contractor”) is engaged in a personal capacity and not as representatives of a Government or of any other entity external to the United Nations. The Contractor is neither a "staff member" under the Staff Regulations of the United Nations and UNICEF policies and procedures nor an "official" for the purpose of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, 1946. The Contractor may, however, be afforded the status of "Experts on Mission" in the sense of Section 22 of Article VI of the Convention and the Contractor is required by UNICEF to travel in order to fulfill the requirements of this contract , the Contractor may be issued a United Nations Certificate in accordance with Section 26 of Article VII of the Convention.2. ObligationsThe Contractor shall complete the assignment set out in the Terms of Reference for this contract with due diligence, efficiency and economy, in accordance with generally accepted professional techniques and practices.The Contractor must respect the impartiality and independence of UNICEF and the United Nations and in connection with this contract must neither seek nor accept instructions from anyone other than UNICEF. During the term of this contract the Contractor must refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on UNICEF or the United Nations and must not engage in any activity that is incompatible with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICEF. The Contractor must exercise the utmost discretion in all matters relating to this contract.
In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, the Contractor (a) will conduct him- or herself in a manner consistent with the Standards of Conduct in the International Civil Service; and (b) will comply with the administrative instructions and policies and procedures of UNICE relating to fraud and corruption; information disclosure; use of electronic communication assets; harassment, sexual harassment and abuse of authority; and the requirements set forth in the Secretary General's Bulletin on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.
Unless otherwise authorized by the appropriate official in the office concerned, the Contractor must not communicate at any time to the media or to any institution, person, Government or other entity external to UNICEF any information that has not been made public and which has become known to the Contractor by reason of his or her association with UNICEF or the United Nations. The Contractor may not use such information without the written authorization of UNICEF, and shall under no circumstances use such information for his or her private advantage or that of others. These obligations do not lapse upon termination of this contact.3. Title rightsUNICEF shall be entitled to all property rights, including but not limited to patents, copyrights and trademarks, with regard to material created by the Contractor which bears a direct relation to, or is made in order to perform, this contract. At the request of UNICEF, the Contractor shall assist in securing such property rights and transferring them to UNICEF in compliance with the requirements of the law governing such rights.4. TravelIf UNICEF determines that the Contractor needs to travel in order to perform this contract, that travel shall be specified in the contract and the Contractor’s travel costs shall be set out in the contract, on the following basis:
(a) UNICEF will pay for travel in economy class via the most direct and economical route; provided however that in exceptional circumstances, such as for medical reasons, travel in business class may be approved by UNICEF on a case-by-case basis.
(b) UNICEF will reimburse the Contractor for out-of-pocket expenses associated with such travel by paying an amount equivalent to the daily subsistence allowance that would be paid to staff members undertaking similar travel for official purposes.
- Statement of good healthBefore commencing work, the Contractor must deliver to UNICEF a certified self-statement of good health and to take full responsibility for the accuracy of that statement. In addition, the Contractor must include in this statement of good health (a) confirmation that he or she has been informed regarding inoculations required for him or her to receive, at his or her own cost and from his or her own medical practitioner or other party, for travel to the country or countries to which travel is authorized; and (b) a statement he or she is covered by medical/health insurance and that, if required to travel beyond commuting distance from his or her usual place or residence to UNICEF (other than to duty station(s) with hardship ratings “H” and “A”, a list of which has been provided to the Contractor) the Contractor’s medical/health insurance covers medical evacuations. The Contractor will be responsible for assuming all costs that may be occurred in relation to the statement of good health.
- InsuranceThe Contractor is fully responsible for arranging, at his or her own expense, such life, health and other forms of insurance covering the term of this contract as he or she considers appropriate taking into account, among other things, the requirements of paragraph 5 above. The Contractor is not eligible to participate in the life or health insurance schemes available to UNICEF and United Nations staff members. The responsibility of UNICEF and the United Nations is limited solely to the payment of compensation under the conditions described in paragraph 7 below.
- Service incurred death, injury or illness If the Contractor is travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contract, or is performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval, the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate), shall be entitled to compensation from UNICEF in the event of death, injury or illness attributable to the fact that the Contractor was travelling with UNICEF’s prior approval and at UNICEF's expense in order to perform his or her obligations under this contractor, or was performing his or her obligations under this contract in a UNICEF or United Nations office with UNICEF’s approval. Such compensation will be paid through a third party insurance provider retained by UNICEF and shall be capped at the amounts set out in the Administrative Instruction on Individual Consultants and Contractors. Under no circumstances will UNICEF be liable for any other or greater payments to the Contractor (or his or her dependents as appropriate).
- Arbitration(a) Any dispute arising out of or, in connection with, this contract shall be resolved through amicable negotiation between the parties.
(b) If the parties are not able to reach agreement after attempting amicable negotiation for a period of thirty (30) days after one party has notified the other of such a dispute, either party may submit the matter to arbitration in accordance with the UNCITRAL procedures within fifteen (15) days thereafter. If neither party submits the matter for arbitration within the specified time the dispute will be deemed resolved to the full satisfaction of both parties. Such arbitration shall take place in New York before a single arbitrator agreed to by both parties; provided however that should the parties be unable to agree on a single arbitrator within thirty days of the request for arbitration, the arbitrator shall be designated by the United Nations Legal Counsel. The decision rendered in the arbitration shall constitute final adjudication of the dispute.
- Penalties for UnderperformancePayment of fees to the Contractor under this contractor, including each installment or periodic payment (if any), is subject to the Contractor’s full and complete performance of his or her obligations under this contract with regard to such payment to UNICEF’s satisfaction, and UNICEF’s certification to that effect.
- Termination of ContractThis contract may be terminated by either party before its specified termination date by giving notice in writing to the other party. The period of notice shall be five (5) business days (in the UNICEF office engaging the Contractor) in the case of contracts for a total period of less than two (2) months and ten (10) business days (in the UNICEF office engaging the Contractor) in the case of contracts for a longer period; provided however that in the event of termination on the grounds of impropriety or other misconduct by the Contractor (including but not limited to breach by the Contractor of relevant UNICEF policies, procedures, and administrative instructions), UNICEF shall be entitled to terminate the contract without notice. If this contract is terminated in accordance with this paragraph 10, the Contractor shall be paid on a pro rata basis determined by UNICEF for the actual amount of work performed to UNICEF’s satisfaction at the time of termination. UNICEF will also pay any outstanding reimbursement claims related to travel by the Contractor. Any additional costs incurred by UNICEF resulting from the termination of the contract by either party may be withheld from any amount otherwise due to the Contractor under this paragraph 10.
- TaxationUNICEF and the United Nations accept no liability for any taxes, duty or other contribution payable by the consultant and individual contractor on payments made under this contract. Neither UNICEF nor the United Nations will issue a statement of earnings to the consultant and individual contractor.
How to apply:Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV and P 11 form (which can be downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html) to pdconsultants@unicef.org with subject line “Teambuilding Retreat Facilitator” by 6 September 2013, 5:00pm EST. Please indicate your ability, availability and daily/monthly rate to undertake the terms of reference above. Applications submitted without a daily/monthly rate will not be considered.Joint applications of two or more individuals are not accepted.Please note that only candidates who are under serious consideration will be contacted.
